This time, Kearney hangs onto lead

WARNER SPRINGS 
On his first tee shot yesterday, La Costa Canyon High senior Steven Kearney hit a drive about 400 yards on his way to the San Diego Section boys individual golf title. On his final shot, he sank a birdie putt to clinch the Division I team title.

It was quite a day for Kearney at Warner Springs Ranch, as he matched his co-leading, first-round score of a 4-under-par 68 to close with an 8-under 136 and a three-shot victory.

The identical rounds put Kearney one shot off the section record for a two-round tournament, shared by Phil Mickelson of the old University of San Diego High (1988) and Brian Kelley of University City (2000).

Kearney also entered the final round tied for the lead a year ago but finished in second by two shots. This time, he prevailed with a round that included five birdies and one bogey.

“This is a relief,” said Kearney, who will attend Stanford. “Last year was sort of a disappointment how I finished. This time, we win (the team title) by one shot. That is pretty crazy. I didn't know about that until I made it.”

Some cheers from his teammates signaled the third straight title for the Mavericks at 735, one shot ahead of Torrey Pines, which received a second-round 65 from sophomore Michael Kim.

La Costa Canyon and Torrey Pines teams advanced to the regional tourney at the SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta on Wednesday along with the top 12 individuals from other schools.

Rancho Bernardo junior Woohyun “Carter” Baek, who moved from New Zealand in November, fired a 66 with a closing eagle on the ninth hole to place second (139).

Tied for third place (141) were Torrey Pines sophomore Jay Hwang, who shared the first-round lead, and Rancho Buena Vista senior Sejun Yoon.

Kearney credited the length on his first tee shot in part to some breeze and a good bounce. Also, the 6-foot-2, 168-pounder also returned this year with some added power.